WAITROSE is the front-runner in the race to become Dorking’s major new supermarket after 62% of people in the town said they preferred it to three other options.

A total of 4,361 people voted in the council consultation and 2,513 ranked the proposed enlargement of the South Street store ahead of potential developments behind St Martin’s Walk, in Curtis Road and Vincent Lane.

Some 26%, numbering 1,079 respondents, put the Sainsbury’s suggested to the rear of St Martin’s Walk, as their first choice, while only 342 (8%) backed the Morrisons in Curtis Road and 184 (4%) favoured the Vincent Lane Lidl.

More than 15,000 leaflets went to homes and businesses in and around Dorking seeking views on the supermarket and other planning issues, and the number of respondents was 29% of this.

Developers and supermarkets stepped up their interest when Mole Valley District Council accepted a need for more food shopping in the town.

Lidl is interested in building a 13,454 sq ft store at the Vincent Works site, Sainsbury’s wants a 32,291 sq ft one and Morrisons is proposing a 33,000 sq ft supermarket.

Comments most commonly made about the Waitrose plans were it would help other town centre traders because of its position and cause little disruption or impact on traffic. Sainsbury’s supporters highlighted its town centre location and believe it would revitalise St Martin’s Walk. But opponents said it would worsen existing traffic, lead to a loss of housing and affect the town’s character.

The other sites would take trade away from the town centre and cause traffic problems, many said.

The backing of just 8% for Morrisons is a blow to the supermarket and Trilogy Developments, leading the consortium which agreed with the council for the store to be built if plans prove popular and gain planning permission.

But a petition opposing it and the resulting traffic problems has gained nearly 1,000 signatures. Justin Fairley lives opposite the proposed site and is leading opposition. He was not surprised by the consultation.

“It’s as expected really,” he said. “Waitrose was the favourite. It’s got the infrastructure, the parking, it would allow good access to other shops.

“Sainsbury’s is popular, there’s easy parking, you can walk to the High Street in two minutes. Only people attracted by the name Morrisons seemed to support it but the more press coverage, the more people saw the facts and woke up to the bigger picture.”

Patrick Stones, managing director of Trilogy, said: “The council has confirmed there is capacity for more than one large store in Dorking and I believe a large proportion of those who voted for St Martin’s Walk were voting for an improvement to the retail offer in the town centre, not necessarily by Sainsbury’s. The proposed Morrisons site is a more appropriate location and many residents agree.”